Indian Princely States Who Did Not Want To Be Part Of India

On 15th August 1947, India got independence from the British. The Britishers ruled India for almost 200 years. The biggest challenge before India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was how the merger of 500 princely states of India would be done in India. The British government had always given limited autonomy to these states. The British had entrusted the responsibility of the future of princely states to India and Pakistan. Congress had said in the 1938 Haripura session that they are in favor of inducting all the princely states in India after independence. After Independence, the responsibility of merger of princely states was entrusted to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and V. P. Menon. Patel and Menon under the leadership of Lord Mountbatten had conversations with the kings of all the princely states and tried to convince them for the merger in India. Bikaner, Baroda and some other princely states of Rajasthan, firstly joined the Indian Republic. But there were some princely states who wanted to keep themselves separate from India. Some princely states were geographically present in India but still, they wanted to be a part of Pakistan. Today we will talk about 4 princely states who did not want to be part of India at the time of independence. Today we will talk about 4 princely states who did not want to be part of India at the time of independence.

Travancore: – South Indian princely state Travancore refused to merge in India. Ramaswami Iyer, the Diwan of the princely state of Travancore, had said in 1946 that he would keep his open views on this issue. According to historian Ramachandra Guha, the inspiration of Muhammad Ali Jinnah was working behind the attitude of Travancore. It is believed that C. P. Ramaswami made a secret agreement with the British and in return, the British were in favor of Ramaswami Iyer demand. The Britishers were doing such a thing so that they could take control of the minerals of Travancore state. Until 1947, Travancore remained firm on its decision. In 1947, Ramaswami was attacked by a member of the Kerala Socialist Party. After that, he got ready to merge in India. Travancore became the official part of India on July 30, 1947.

Jodhpur: – The king of this princely state and most of the people were Hindu. But still, they wanted to be a part of Pakistan. Maharaja Hanwant Singh of Jodhpur believed that he would benefit from becoming a part of Pakistan. Muhammad Ali Jinnah lured the Maharaja that you will have a complete control over the port of Karachi. If you join the Pakistan. When Vallabhbhai Patel came to know about Maharaja’s intentions, then he told the Maharaja about problems arising after joining the Muslim nation. Historian Ramachandra Guha has written in his book that when the documents of the merger of the princely state were being signed, then the Maharaja took out the revolver and put it on the head of the secretary and said that I will not take order from you. However, after a few minutes, he quietly signed those documents.

Bhopal: – Bhopal was also included in the state not included in India during Independence. Nawab Hamidullah Khan of Bhopal was a Muslim, but most of his public was Hindu. He had a very good friendship with the leaders of Muslim League. Hamidullah was against the Congress and he told Mountbatten clearly what he wants. But later he joined India and he said that no state can run away from its responsibilities. Like other princely states, Nawab accepted the merger proposal in 1947.

Junagadh: – Junagadh was not part of India on August 15, 1947. Junagadh was the most prominent princely state in Kathiawar. Most of the people of Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khan III of Junagadh were Hindu. Nawab of Junagadh gave Muslim leader Shah Nawaz Bhutto place in the state council. Shah Nawaz Bhutto started the work in the state and started pressurizing the Nawab to join Pakistan. Pakistan acknowledged the inclusion of Junagadh, so Indian leaders stopped giving financial assistance to Junagadh and after this, the Nawab fled from India. Vallabhbhai demanded referendum from Pakistan in Junagadh. After all, under the pressure of Indian soldiers and restrictions, the referendum was held in Junagadh 20 February 1948. In which 9 1 percent of people expressed their willingness to join India. And thus Junagadh became part of India.

Atul Juyal

My name is Atul Juyal and I am from Delhi. I like writing, so I started blogging. Now you must be wondering why Indian history? I like Indian history very much. I want to tell people through this blog about the greatness of Indian history. Data, news, articles related to India’s history. India’s unsung stories, innovations, inventions, art and culture, ancient history, India is full of all these things. I will try to explain in details of Indian culture, ancient temples, historical places, great Indian kings and other things through my articles.